Synopsis
Raised on tales of cowboys and pirates, eleven-year-old Reuben Land has little doubt that miracles happen all around us, and that it’s up to us to “make of it what we will.” Reuben was born with no air in his lungs, and it was only when his father, Jeremiah, picked him up and commanded him to breathe that his lungs filled. Reuben struggles with debilitating asthma from then on, making him a boy who knows firsthand that life is a gift, and also one who suspects that his father is touched by God and can overturn the laws of nature. The quiet Midwestern life of the Lands is upended when Davy, the oldest son, kills two marauders who have come to harm the family. Unlike his father, he is not content to leave all matters of justice in God’s hands. The morning of his sentencing, Davy—a hero to some, a cold-blooded murderer to others—escapes from his cell, and the Lands set out in search of him. Their journey is touched by serendipity and the kindness of strangers. Meanwhile, a federal agent is trailing the Lands, convinced they know of Davy’s whereabouts. With Jeremiah at the helm, the family covers territory far more extraordinary than even the Badlands where they search for Davy from their Airstream trailer.- ★★★★★
- ★★★★★
- ★★★★★
- ★★★★☆
Mindful Muslim Review
This author’s debut book earns our Gold Star for the deep and profound relationship with God that is at the center of this heartwarming tale. Through immense trials with his family, the father is kept grounded through his faith and his consistent habit of prayer. The book weaves in many virtues as an anecdote to the excess and vice of modern society. The children learn from their father how to act with adab (appropriate respect and comportment) toward guests and figures of authority alike. The children learn that pride and arrogance can lead to man’s downfall from which there may not be a return. They also learn how fickle the public can be when it comes to “fame.” They ultimately understand from their father that every person, even loved ones, must face the consequences of their actions.
Note: Although this book has many yellow flags, we believe it’s still a book worth reading. The characters embody many virtues, learn from their mistakes, and vices are clearly portrayed as wrong.
